3 Free-Motion Quilting Designs for Beginners | Beginner Quilting Series with Angela Walters

Machine quilting isn't always as easy as it looks - but anyone can do these 3 free-motion quilting designs (promise)! In the third week of Angela's beginner series, learn how wavy lines, starburst designs, and simple cursive words can turn your quilt into a work of art. Episode links below. 👇
Whether you're a beginner or want to take your FMQ to the next level, Bluprint has some great classes for every skill level:
Free-Motion Quilting Essentials: bluprnt.co/2FVEJDB
Start Free-Motion Quilting:
Quilting with Rulers: Free Motion Made Simple: bluprnt.co/2K0IpZd
More FMQ classes here! → bluprnt.co/2FTj5Af
And that's a wrap for the 3-part beginner series! Watch the first two episodes here. 👇
Beginner Quilt Patterns: • Easy Quilt Patterns fo...
Beginner Fabric: • How to Choose Fabric |...
About the Host
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Meet our very own Midnight Quilter, designer Angela Walters - known for serious skills and quilter-ly quirks. Each week on the Midnight Quilt Show, she shares the scoop on how she tackles perfectly-pieced points or fab free-motion. Subscribe to the Midnight Quilt Show here. ↓ / @midnightquiltshow

[@SummaGirl1347]

In my experience, people are so impressed that you made a quilt at all that they can’t care less if it’s perfect. The very first quilt I made was a baby quilt for a co-worker and it was a hot mess. But, the mother cried when she saw it. The other new mothers were so envious! Needless to say, nobody inspected it for mistakes. The important things are using your creativity and adding beauty to your life - NOT being “perfect”.

[@maisg3513]

Aww that's so sweet!!!

[@susanholden6861]

Love what you wrote! So true.

[@tammihasenpflug726]

I can't thank you enough for your "ish" comments. My mom is an amazing quilter and I have always been scared of not being good enough. Your comments have helped me make peace with my quilts being lovely the way they are...finished! thank you!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Tammi how are you doing today

[@craftyblogger]

Working on wavy lines on a twin size quilt on my teeny tiny home machine! Terrific tip to throw in extra element when changing hand positions!

[@judylaybourne7908]

I’m old enough to be your mom here. I learned how to quilt when my kids went to university and so my weekends were free. I’ve only ever done hand quilting so it took more than a year to make a big quilt. I got to teach a neighbour (your age) to quilt a few years ago. She watched utube videos and learned to machine quilt right away. So here I am learning to machine quilt after all these years. I just finished a baby quilt in record time. Thank you 🙏 for your great instructions and easy listening videos. I’m sold on machine quilting to make more for family and friends. You are a delight!

[@annhinz6326]

Me too! Not the hand piecing but yes I've hand quited at least 4 bed sized quilts and I enjoyed hand work and EPP but I like the piecing and seeing the results faster. It's humbling to learn so much from people my kids' age!

[@graylagran7443]

LOVE this video! This is perfect timing as I’m machine quilting a fence rail design and wanted to add some words to it (names and a date). I need to practice my cursive on paper before I commit with thread. By the way, the starburst design is one of my go to designs for linear spaces. I’m having so much fun machine quilting and it all started with your first midnight quilt show episode. I did make that top immediately, and after 2 years am confident I can quilt it how I want to finally.

[@samanthad4084]

Needed to get a few tops quilted quick for Christmas gifts but didn't want to mess with loading them on the mid-arm. Wavy lines were a perfect fit. Done is better than perfect!! Thank you Angela!!

[@jenniferclucas5843]

I really want a passive aggressive message quilt now! 😆

[@brendabornsheuer5172]

Right??!! I could come up with quite a few "messages" 😂😂😂

[@jayamilapersson4030]

Like I imagine this words on a big quilt. Your mom does not live here to make your bed she only gave you this quilt to hide the mess under.

[@jacquelinemca6614]

@@jayamilapersson4030 🥰🥰🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aprildegele1510]

So awesome. I'm a novice quilter and will free-form my design. Letting go is the best thing. I love that you integrate "imperfections" (that I will call opportunitieties) by making them look intentional. Love. I've been an artist all my life and I've learned that letting the piece tell you what it wants to be, even if it's "imperfect", it will be great no matter what you do. I'm so glad you're teaching that.

[@bethanytaylor65]

You are a delight! Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been practicing and have a long way to go, but you gave me the courage to start! Between you and Jenny from Missouri Star, I’ve become quite the quilter at almost 60 years old!

[@hollyboatright2136]

Thank you Angels for this video! I just quilted my first quilt and it was a T-shirt quilt. It's not as fancy as these (gotta work on those "perfection" issues), BUT it's done! And we all know that a finished quilt is better than not! I'll keep practicing tho!

[@saradavila7637]

THIS is for beginners like me that have NO idea about free motion quilting. Thank you for making it VERY simple to understand and not feel overwhelmed nor discouraged about trying it.

[@lynnwolfgram9280]

Angela, your starburst freed me up to finish up several donation baby quilts--so cute!

[@user-jl6zk5vc8u]

Love the different styles you use. Have been worried about starting free motion quilting but am now going to try it Thank you Kath

[@janicelakowicz9212]

Thank you SO much! I have been scared to death to try free motion quilting for fear of ruining my quilt tops - but after watching this I know I can do it! Awesome 👍🏻😊

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Janicen how are you doing today

[@leahcanales230]

Angela, I love your videos so much! I am not a perfectionist so when I make mistakes I just embrace them. It's really comforting to hear you say it's okay in a world where we all try to be perfect at everything. Thanks for the encouragement!!

[@janetimberlake3302]

You are so talented Angela Walters! I love the beautiful work that you do!! Especially what you do with Tula Pinks quilts. Beautiful!!

[@marieknipfer6982]

You are the best! Love the way you switch from a longarm to domestic and encourage us to just do it. Get these quilts done!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Marie how are you doing today

[@dianel685]

Oh man! There are so many quilts I want to do and only so little time!!! Love how you make it fun to quilt without having to worry about mistakes!

[@youngmanmary2918]

Thank you .What a great tutorial. I appreciate all your positive words. Sometimes in my crazy world all I ever hear is negative and it wears me out .Thanks for the refreshing words. Love to sew and quilt

[@sherylmichael4754]

Angela, We (my hubby and I) totally agree. No such thing as perfection. We LOVE your "galloping horse" technique. His horse is more of a Secretariat, while mine is crippled and barely breathing. I have always been a perfectionist in my art. Not so much life, just creativity. I love quilting and I love the way you make it look as if I can do it too. Well, I have. I love the end results. I am one of those that makes a quilt and gives it away. Hopefully number 20 will be my quilt. The Joy is in the creating and the quilting. Thank you Angela.

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@paintedstars2]

Holy buckets! You are my hero! Seriously, I basically have been shunned by my Midwestern family when I did not pick up sewing or cooking. Now, after 18 years of being a nurse and now disabled...I am basically self teaching. If there really is such a thing. I was thinking rather than those stencils, there had to be something you could print off your computer, then transfer to fabric and follow the lines carefully. But I adore your idea SO much netter!! Thank you so very much.

[@bethanytaylor65]

Ms Angela, I wanted to thank you for giving me the courage to attempt free motion quilting. I just finished quilting my first quilt using your techniques and I love it! Is it perfect? Absolutely not! But it’s beautiful! I am planning on using the rulers in the near future. So thank you thank you thank you!

[@pamelamcgifford4805]

I think you are marvellous! I did not realise I had been with you since near the beginning. I have been sewing for nearly sixty years and after a major injury was left lacking confidence and ability when I found you. A finished quilt is better than a perfect quilt! I teach Math and Science in high school and after a tough week, YOU are there, just what I need: you are always cheerful, fun, motivating, chatty, and allow me to make minor errors and not feel guilty! I have learned so much and not just about quilting! Your patterns, FMQ and quilts...wonderful, just what I love...happy. You are a world wide phenomena too, I am in Tasmania, Australia and all my quilting friends throughout Australia now know about Angela Walters.

[@rides2much]

I am brand new to free motion quilting and just started within the last week or 10 days. You make it look so easy. I aspire to be able to quilt the way you do. I’m in the process of quilting my first top. I have so much to learn. I watch your videos over and over. They are so helpful. I’m struggling to go forward. I have a nice little Singer sewing machine that has been very adequate for the kind of sewing I have done. I made draperies for my daughters homes, I’ve sewn every kind of clothing. Quilting however is challenging my little machine. Unfortunately, I am a retired widow on a very limited income, replacement is not an option at this time. I’m determined to hang in there though.

[@nancyfeliciano2039]

Oh ANGELA I’m so glad I found this video! Wow, you are one of the best instructors I’ve ever seen. I love how you show as you speak, it so engaging. I am a new to quilting and you of your new followers!!!!!! Be blessed for sharing your talents 🤗🥰

[@user-ht9be8hl1y]

Watching you for years, I finally subscribed. Made about 200 projects/quilts and took the easy root by hand tie or straight line quilting, then wavy line quilting. My new attempt is the puzzle shapes. Thanks for these tutorials, very helpful for me. I appreciate you. Thx MariaB

[@hunkosaurusrex]

Thank you for your inspiring videos. This video is great. I tend to see free motion as too ornate but you open my mind to how free motion can be used to also be simple (star/snowflakes) and entertaining (cursive). Thank you for giving me ideas to try. You are awesomesauce!

[@donnaduguay7532]

Thank you Angela for showing us some easier designs for us newbies at motion quilting 💕

[@keiglass]

My go to is Stippling. different sizes give such different texture. Plus, it's how I used to doodle on my homework, I mean in my free time, so it comes super naturally to me!

[@barbaramarshall5271]

I love how you say there's no such thing like perfection when it comes to quilting. My confession is I'm not much of a sewer, but I love the designs in quilting and how easy you make it. I'm also a fumblefingers too because I have dyspraxia in my fingers, just another thing to annoy me really. Well my mum is or was a sewer for clothes, but she never ever showed me quilting even when I asked about it as kid. No matter I'm learning now, thanks Angela for all of your help.🙂🌺

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Barbara how are you doing today

[@larktipton2945]

I like that you tell to not worry about being perfect. I’m practicing on a block quilt for fun. Thanks

[@Denizzmbm3]

You're quilting passive aggressive messages in perfect writing; I can't even write neatly with a pen :O

[@susiejohnson4530]

LOVED IT!!! great presentation!! not boring, not rushed, perfect

[@janiceconway5542]

This Starburst design worked perfect for my Christmas table topper. Thank you so much!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Janice how are you doing my friend

[@alkurashi]

Thank you so much,you are amazing teacher 🌷

[@jessiemiles1286]

ROFLOL, new life goal-quilt a passive aggressive message, LOVE IT! Seriously love your videos and this is awesome even for beginners with a few free-motioned quilts under their belts.

[@anneirenej]

Oh thank you so much i am going to do a couple of place mats to practice. Btw live the midnight quilt show too.

[@KimberlyMWylie]

"Passive aggressive messages" LOL You've just changed my quilting game completely! :-)

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Kimberly how are you doing today

[@deniselupinacci8564]

This is an awesome "beginners" video for we newbies. Thanks Angela!

[@trabitrabi]

Hi, I'd like to thank you for the encouragement. tkx to your video I'm finishing a wonderful big quilt for my daughter & it looks good. it won't be perfect, but it looks much better than I thought it would. and free motion quilting is just so much fun!!!!!

[@darlenewong7069]

Thanks for making your tutorial easy to follow and encouraging for the novice. I will continue to watch more of your tutorials :) to get the hang of free motion quilting on my machine.

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Darlene how are you doing today

[@mary-lynnmcconnell5656]

Love Love Love these patterns ❤️❤️❤️Thank you sooooo much 🙏

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@stanandheidi]

Angela is pure awesomeness!!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Heidi how are you doing today

[@leiaclark8388]

I’m a veteran and I spent 4 years in a Navy Construction Battalion (Seabees). There is a saying: “if you can’t hide it, show it off.” Sometimes there will be things in your project that don’t look “perfect”, but by emphasizing them, it looks like an innovative design. I love Midnight Quilt Show. The way things are explained is very workable, and it’s also entertaining.

[@bethsmith9826]

I love your easy breezy attitude and you make me feel it is ok if you mess up. No mistakes just part of the artistic design. I have been surprised at how forgiving quilting actually is. I am going to give free hand a try.

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@darnelleechols8556]

I've never quilted before. But doing a cursive 'e' and 'l' made a really cool looking free motion quilting design. Best of all, it looked easy to do. I'd like to try it on a set of placemats or maybe a doll quilt. Something easy. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@jackierudd2010]

Thankyou for sharing your inspirational talent 😊 💖 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

[@sunshinejenny5536]

Thank You for this video and great attitude! You are getting me back into free motion. It has been a long, long time. Time to take a deep breath and just make it fun! My friend told me about your channel and I am so glad. You are an inspiration!

[@fridolfmunchen4700]

Thank you!!! That was brillant 🥰👍

[@pattimintun5984]

I just finished a quilt for my granddaughter. I am practicing FMQ, & wanted to add some hearts & stars to the center square. I hand

[@shannonsmith6594]

I can't wait to try these. Thanks!

[@soniaadams3559]

Thank you Angela for sharing this with us. Beautiful video 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@rosemarykriegel3226]

I knew there was a reason why I was waiting to quilt my first quilt. Made the top and back about 15 years ago. Bought the batting this spring and it took twice in two days to hand baste the things together. Bought a $5500 machine so need to get cracking on this. There will be mistakes since it's going to be my practice quilt. It's 10 feet by 9 feet so I should be pretty good by the time I'm done with it! Going to try the stars on it any maybe some cursive. Been writing cursive since I was 7 years old...only 58 years! Love cursive, too! Anyway, thank you for these wonderful ideas!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Rosemary how are you doing today

[@salzer49]

I'm so glad I found this video,I am making a christmas table runner and this will be wonderful to do,thanks so much for putting this video out there!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Linda how are you doing today

[@TheUstinovich]

that starburst pattern is verry beautiful

[@imagesbynancy]

I could watch and listen to you all day...

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Nancy how are you doing today

[@patspizzabethel6503]

i love your approach to this. thank you

[@chelseagradney3341]

This video helped so much. Just starting my free motion quilting. I don't feel the need to buy more templates after watching your video. I starting quilting so I could work with color. Quilting my tops is not my favorite part. These tips you gave will help get my tops to the washing machine. Thank you Angela.

[@princesa311]

I love them!! Can't wait to try them!

[@lizreynolds4554]

Thank you for sharing this with us. I really am a new quilter, and want to learn to do this. You gave me some great tips, I will start working, practicing, and learning. Again, thanks 😊

[@gracewong6884]

Thank you for the encouraging tutorial to quilt with a sewing machine❤

[@barbaragilmartin9092]

Thank you! You make it look less intimidating. :)

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@vickygosselin6237]

You make it look sooo easy. I am sure glad I found your videos.

[@traceyseymour7700]

G'day from australia, thank you for the vid, you make it look soooo easy, just got a quilting foot, cant wait to use it....cheers

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@barbararuzzene51]

Hello Angela Your videos are FABULOUS........love the geometry with quilting. Im learning to do all of this, and the free motion with the ruler is my favorite. I want to learn more, and need to practice. I am a retired Flight Attendant and a Professional Astrologer. (I teach it online) I think that's why I like quilting, ALL that geometry. Anyway, thank you for your videos, and the instructions of how to make those gorgeous quilts. I am a beginner (not quite), but when I look at yours, I am. LOL I am semi-disabled, and I am so grateful that I have this craft to sink my heart and soul into. Keep em coming.......BARBARA RUZZENE

[@janiebeard1615]

Angela ,And you are my motivation you got into sewing.

[@christinao.7236]

Thank you for yet another amazing video!!

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@Beverly2020]

Great information. Can’t wait to try!

[@lindatonkin3802]

Thank you so much. You are a great teacher 😊 💖

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@debrapatton31]

I love quilting!!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Debra how are you doing today

[@yevonnecreasey9100]

Thanks for the great lesson, you make it look so easy... but I am definitely going to try ... love the simple technique that looks great . Looking forward to learning more. I have only been quilting 1 yr , even though I have been sewing since my first singer at age 10 yrs? Haven’t free motion quilted yet past straight lines, but I am going to try ..

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Yevonne how are you doing today

[@jacquelinejones823]

I love your videos!!! I can’t wait to try the wavy lines and some words!!!!

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@mrsseasea]

Well been quilting for 30 years or so, but never changed my “theme” but have been free hand quilting for sometime again same theme. So here I am going to try something new. Thank you for your video.

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@lindamaglione8017]

Thank you!!! You're superb!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Linda how are you doing today

[@sherrimilkie8834]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you !!!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Sherri how are you doing today

[@dilianbenavente8538]

Eres muy didáctica, muy práctica, gracias

[@TALORLESLIE]

Thank you so much this is Awesome and it does work perfectly WOW... SO MUCH FUN :)

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Leslie how are you doing today

[@metrocash3736]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VERY INFORMATIVE VIDEO IM JUST STARTING TO QUILT AND I THINK IM GOING TO LOVE IT.. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

[@dianareddell1496]

Awesome! Thanks for the ideas!!

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@sandravanlankvelt7975]

Awesome thank YOU!!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Sandra how are you doing today

[@juliemorrison4348]

You make this look so easy♥️🇦🇺

[@melissawofford6164]

Brilliant advice on learning FMQ… and I’ll take it! Thank you!

[@CraftsyYouTube]

We're so glad you enjoyed it!

[@nancywilson8736]

Love all your shows. I will soon be trying fmq.

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Nancy how are you doing today

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@wylierobison3192]

Thank you !!

[@cathysandlin7406]

Thanks for tips you gave me. I sure they wil help me

[@julzhowlett2200]

So cool. Thx

[@tammybrooks7528]

Thank you.

[@sangitakamat9553]

Thank u so much... love your video

[@marietteforget7804]

Thanks, your tutorial is very inspiring!🌺🌸

[@CraftsyYouTube]

You are so welcome!

[@karenambrose7274]

thank you for the fun idea,thank you new idea

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Karen how are you doing today

[@barbaralevel7225]

Yea Missouri here too! Thanks for video.

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Barbara how are you doing today

[@thepinkstockbrokers]

Awesome I love it

[@lmmartyn8846]

Great lesson

[@sherylm4130]

You are so good!

[@thequiltyminset]

So fun and entertaining... I see why you and Tula get along...

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@robertawestbrooks9531]

I just love your videos, thanks for sharing 👍

[@CraftsyYouTube]

So nice of you!

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@denisepineda1788]

Great ideas

[@lilikc7]

"passive aggressive messages" Bwahahhah!!!!! Glory I love watching your show!!!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Lee how are you doing today

[@bestycheung7532]

Thanks for sharing!👏🙏👍

[@SimeonOwen]

Hello dear! How are you doing! Hope it’s been a beautiful day today?

[@Irmaglau]

Thank you!!!!!

[@jamiehsmart02]

Hello Branca how are you doing today